Describe your job.

“I am solely responsible for leading all aspects of the company’s global operations in our 4,200 stores in 35 countries with over $3 billion in annual revenue.

“I also play as key stakeholder in driving the company’s strategic planning and execution of marketing, communications, research and development, supply chain, unit development and technology.”

“My primary responsibility is to create sustainable growth in revenue, income and new units by maintaining a focus on the core fundamentals of our business philosophy.

“Over 80 percent of 4,200 stores are owned by over 500 different franchisees, which I am responsible for maintaining a collaborative working relationship with to drive mutual success. My direct report team consists of 10 regional vice presidents (who) are located around the world.

“Lastly, and unique to most organizations, I am also a franchisee and corporate executive. Owning multiple stores in the Midwest region provides me with a great perspective of the typical franchisee.”

Why did you choose your career path?

“From the moment I was promoted to general manager of my first store in 1996 and first met our founder during a store visit, I was totally impressed with his passion for the details of the business and his people-first approach.

“At that moment, I knew I found a company that would be more than a job but a journey to the top. I have spent the last 17 years doing what I thought was right to move the business and the people that work with me forward. And before I knew it, I went from running one store at 21 years old to all of them at 38.”

How did your early work experiences shape your work ethic?

“When I was a senior in high school, I was ready to work and take on big challenges. I worked at a local pizzeria in Louisville and would often close the restaurant working late nights and learning about what makes a business work.

“At the tale end of my senior year in high school, I bought the business and became an entrepreneur with very little and even less experience.

“Over the next two years, before joining Papa John’s, I worked 14 hours a day, seven days a week to keep that business in line and afloat. I learned the values of hard work, and my refusal to fail kept the business moving way longer that it really should have been capable of.

“Going to Papa John’s after 100-hour workweeks was an interesting shift in the beginning.”

What would be your ideal position in 2025?

“I would hope I have assumed the role as CEO of Papa John’s in addition to serving on the board of directors of a couple Fortune 500 companies. By then I would like to also own over 100 franchise units with a likely diversification among multiple brands in multiple categories.

“But most importantly, I hope to have two daughters just finishing up two great college educations.”

What is your career goal?

“I love what I do at Papa John’s and would be honored to someday have the opportunity to take over the reins from our current founder and CEO, John Schnatter.”

What are the greatest challenges of your job?

“Having over 80,000 team members working for over 500 franchisees in 35 countries will certainly test your ability to multitask. My role demands a high level of knowledge and confidence to make key decisions for a fast-moving organization on a daily basis. This is the biggest challenge but also what I enjoy the most.”

What has been the most fulfilling moment of your career?

“It has to be when I got promoted to my first multi-unit role as an area supervisor of six stores in the Louisville area. I was in my early 20s and realized during that time in my career that what is more important in life is to help others be successful and success will come back tenfold. Watching the excitement and passion from promoting my store level team into general manager roles was some of the most fulfilling times I remember, and it shaped me as a person.”

What excites you about your line of work?

“The people I work with each day and challenges that we face together. Leadership is only as fun as the team you empower around you. When you source and develop the right people in business, the rest takes care of itself.”

Why do you serve the community?

“To bring personal joy to others that are not as fortunate as us and to build personal character”

Who do you consider to be a role model?

“John Schnatter. His passion for excellence and drive to make others better has inspired me to constantly improve and strive to get the best out of everyone.”

Why Louisville?

“At least three generations of my family (are) embedded in the community, and having the opportunity to travel around the world helps me appreciate the Louisville community even more. We enjoy a nice, happy, medium-sized city with good opportunity for growth and favorable economic factors.”

What is one interesting fact about you that most people don’t know?

“I am actually a very shy and introverted person outside of the workplace.”

When you aren’t working or volunteering, what are your favorite activities or hobbies?

“Love to spend time with the kids in the summer at our pool, and being from Louisville, I am a third generation, hard core University of Louisville fan. I don’t typically miss any basketball or football game. Working on my girls still to develop their affinity for the Cards.”

What is your fantasy job?

“I am a very competitive person and developed that from playing competitive sports throughout my entire youth. I still today watch a MLB game and daydream thinking about my playing days and what it would be like if I kept playing and made it to the majors. Then I wake up.”

What is your shopping weakness?

“I’m pretty reserved with the shopping and really only shop at Banana Republic. But when I go, I end up with way more than I need.”

What is the first thing you do in the morning?

“At 6 a.m. every morning, our numbers from around the world are emailed to me. It’s always my first task.”

Who is your personal hero?

“My wife. She has supported me through all the ups and downs. My success would not be possible without her sacrifices. She is our family hero.”

What do you do for stress relief?

“Sounds crazy, but get ahead on some key work-related items. Being ahead at work always seems to take the edge off for me.”